William Hague warns governments against internet censorship

Foreign secretary William Hague has claimed that limiting use of social networks or smartphones in a bid to improve cyber security is ‘unacceptable’.

Speaking at a global summit on cyber crime, the foreign secretary said that human rights such as freedom of expression and privacy should apply as much online as they do in everyday life.

Willaim Hague will not limit the use of social media (PA)

His comments come after it was revealed a clampdown on Facebook and Twitter activity was considered during the riots witnessed across much of the UK in July.

‘We reject the view that government suppression of the internet, phone networks and social media at times of unrest is acceptable,’ he explained

‘In fact we would go further, and boil this concept down to a single proposition: that behaviour that is unacceptable offline is also unacceptable online, whether it is carried out by individuals or by governments.’

Instead he called for a ‘global co-ordinated response’ on policy to deal with social media misuse and cyber attacks.

He added that the greatest challenge security experts face is how to ensure everybody can reap the benefits of a safe and secure cyberspace.

The speech comes after Iain Lobban, the head of the GCHQ, the government’s ‘listening’ agency, said that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office computer system was targeted by hackers over the summer.